Central Texas weather is not what most people moving from other parts of the country expect. The climate is genuinely extreme in ways that require preparation and adaptation. Here's the honest guide to what you're actually dealing with.
The Seasons (as Central Texas Actually Has Them)
Summer (May-October)
Central Texas summer is real and sustained. June, July, and August regularly see 20-30 consecutive days above 100°F. The heat is dry enough that shade makes a meaningful difference, but it is still genuinely intense. Air conditioning is not optional — it is infrastructure. If your AC fails in August, you are in a genuine emergency situation. The UV index is extreme; sunscreen is not optional for outdoor activities.
The practical impacts: outdoor activities move to early morning (before 9am) or evening (after 7pm). Pets need to be kept cool. Car interiors reach dangerous temperatures within minutes. Central Texas summers require behavioral adaptation, not just clothing adjustment.
Cedar Fever Season (December-February)
Cedar fever is the most misunderstood weather-related experience that new Central Texas residents face. Mountain cedar trees release pollen in massive quantities from December through mid-February, triggering severe allergy symptoms in people who have never had allergies in their lives. "Cedar fever" is a misnomer — it doesn't cause actual fever — but it produces runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, sore throat, fatigue, and facial pressure that are genuinely debilitating for the first week of exposure. After the first season, most people's symptoms become more manageable as the immune system adapts. Precautions: start antihistamines (cetirizine 10mg daily) in late November before the first release. HEPA air purifiers in bedrooms help significantly.
Storm Season (Spring and Fall)
Central Texas sits in the southern edge of Tornado Alley and experiences severe weather in spring (April-May) and fall (September-October). The more common threats are large hail and flash flooding rather than tornadoes, though tornadoes do occur. Hailstorms of golf-ball to baseball size are not unusual in strong spring storm systems — this is why comprehensive homeowners insurance and inspection of your roof after major hail events matters. Flash flooding in Central Texas is more dangerous than most people new to the region appreciate: the limestone terrain sheds water rapidly, and creek levels can rise 10-15 feet in minutes during intense rainfall. "Turn Around, Don't Drown" is a real safety principle — never attempt to drive through flooded roadways.
Winter (November-March)
Central Texas winters are mild by national standards but punctuated by occasional intense freeze events that the infrastructure is poorly equipped to handle. The 2021 winter storm that caused widespread power outages across Texas demonstrated the vulnerability. More typical winters have 1-3 freeze events with temperatures in the low 20s°F for 1-3 days. Preparation: know where your main water shutoff is, insulate outdoor hose bibs, keep a few days of water supply during freeze forecasts, and keep a few extra blankets available.
- Cedar fever kit: Cetirizine (Zyrtec) 10mg, HEPA air purifier for bedroom, saline nasal rinse. Start antihistamine November 15 and continue through mid-February.
- AC maintenance: Schedule your AC tune-up in March, before the spring rush. A system failure caught in March costs $80. A system failure caught in August costs your Saturday and significantly more money.
- Hail documentation: Photograph your roof and vehicles annually in March before storm season. Post-storm damage documentation is much easier with pre-storm baseline photos.
- Flash flood protocol: If you see water across the road, turn around. 12 inches of moving water can knock a person down. 24 inches can carry away an SUV. The victim statistics from Texas flash floods are entirely from people who underestimated moving water.